A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool

TR010035

6.9.2 ES Appendix 9.2: Extracts from "A Landscape Strategy for "

APFP Regulation 5(2)(a)

Planning Act 2008

Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009

Volume 6

October 2018 A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool Appendix 9.2: Extracts from "A Landscape Strategy for Lancashire"

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Planning Inspectorate Scheme Ref: TR010035 Application Document Ref: TR010035/APP/6.9.2 A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool Appendix 9.2: Extracts from "A Landscape Strategy for Lancashire"

Infrastructure Planning

Planning Act 2008

The Infrastructure Planning (Applications: Prescribed Forms and Procedure) Regulations 2009

A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool Improvement Scheme Development Consent Order 201[ ]

ES APPENDIX 9.2: EXTRACTS FROM "A LANDSCAPE STRATEGY FOR LANCASHIRE"

Regulation Number: Regulation 5(2)(a) Planning Inspectorate Scheme TR010035 Reference Application Document Reference TR010035/APP/6.9.2 Author: A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool Improvement Scheme Project Team, Highways

Version Date Status of Version Rev 0 October 2018 DCO submission

Planning Inspectorate Scheme Ref: TR010035 Application Document Ref: TR010035/APP/6.9.2

A585 Windy Harbour to Skippool Appendix 9.2: Extracts from "A Landscape Strategy for Lancashire"

Page Left Intentionally Blank

Planning Inspectorate Scheme Ref: TR010035 Application Document Ref: TR010035/APP/6.9.2

A Landscape Strategy for Lancashire Landscape Character Assessment

Figure 8: Landscape Character Types & Landscape Character Areas

Scale approx 1:325,000 at A3 page size

29 A Landscape Strategy for Lancashire Landscape Character Assessment

Figure 9: Urban Landscape Character Types

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Landscape Character Generally below 50m, this landscape type is characterised by gently undulating or flat 15 lowland farmland divided by ditches in and by low clipped hedges 15f elsewhere. landscape in particular is characterised by a high density of small marl 15e pit field ponds. Many hedgerows have been removed to give very large fields, open road 15d verges and long views. Although woodland 15b cover is generally very low, these views are 15c punctuated by small deciduous secondary woodlands, mostly in the form of shelter belts or estate plantations; they provide a backdrop 15a to views. The history of the area as an arable landscape is reflected in the farm buildings, particularly the highly distinctive red brick COASTAL barns with brickwork detailing. Settlement is relatively dense in this lowland landscape; clustered red brick farm buildings, hamlets, Character Areas rural villages and historic towns are all present. 15a -Lathom-Rufford Older farm sites and red brick barns are often surrounded by recent development and the 15b Longton- many converted barns now provide 15c - characterful homes. There is a dense infrastructure network; meandering roads 15d The Fylde connect the farms and villages while major 15e Forton-- roads and motorways provide a fast route across the landscape, linking major towns. 15f Knott End- Typical view - photo 30 below.

89 A Landscape Strategy for Lancashire Landscape Character Assessment

Physical Influences Human Influences Glacial and post-glacial deposits of clays, Evidence of early inhabitants of the area has and marine have completely masked been found in areas which were at the fringes the solid geology of mudstones and of the ice sheets. The best example is at sandstones. However, the drift is relatively thin Poulton-le-Fylde, a skeleton of an elk was between Scarisbrick and , discovered which displayed evidence of exposing a broad band of sandstone. The hunting. landscape is therefore strongly influenced by Environmental remains, such as pollen the surface drift which constitutes boulder , evidence from the lake muds and of the penetrated by pockets of glacial and Lancashire mosses, confirm that vegetation and deposits of post-glacial blown sand cover was extensively altered by the arrival of which form distinctive landscape features. The Neolithic farmers, with deliberate destruction landscape is gently rolling, and, until recently, of the forests to make way for farming and accumulated in low-lying areas within the settlements. In the mosses of the Fylde and to glacial till to form mosses which have largely the south of the Ribble, where conditions are been reclaimed for agriculture. right for the preservation of organic materials, The land is highly productive and has a very there is evidence that people visited and low proportion of semi natural vegetation. utilized the landscape from a timber trackway Wildlife habitats are therefore typically small and stone and bronze implements. There is scale and fragmented. Ancient woodland is likely to have been settlement on higher rare, although estate plantations offer ground fringing the mosslands.There is important refuges for many species of flora evidence at Pilling of Neolithic and Bronze Age and fauna. Carr House Green Common near settlement and at Kirkham there is an early Inskip is a mosaic of semi natural grasslands Roman fort. and scrub and a Biological Heritage Site. It is a Population increased during the 12th to 13th rare survival of a Fylde landscape little changed centuries, along with changes to agricultural from the 19th century. systems. There was a rapid extension of Species-rich meadow or pasture is almost pasture to supply wool for the growing English entirely restricted to small areas of secondary and Continental markets. The regularity of colonisation along man made features such as street plans in many settlements of the period roads and railways although arable weeds such suggests the planned rebuilding or extension as corn marigold and poppy still persist locally. of some villages as a result of population The nationally rare purple ramping fumitory pressure. Elsewhere settlement remained as occurs in a few places. Flooded marl pits isolated hamlets and farmsteads. This which are an integral part of the agricultural traditional settlement pattern is still evident in landscape together with more occasional brick the landscape today between Parbold and clay working s and subsidence pools are often Mawdesley. Older settlements are generally rich in species diversity, for example Longton located on higher, free draining deposits and Brick Pits. are typically brick built. In places, low boulder clay banks mark the However the plain remained largely edge of the coastal plain and represent the unpopulated until the early 16th century, when boundary with either inland marsh and mere pressures on available land forced further as at Holmeswood near Rufford, or with improvements and reclamation of mosslands. former coastal marsh before reclamation. This occurred across the landscape and at These banks often support remnant semi- Ormskirk and some of the best natural vegetation such as relict ancient agricultural land in the country was created. woodland, species-rich grassland and scrub. Market gardening became important to the local economy. Improvement also occurred on sandy soils where marl was added to the soil. The Leeds and Liverpool Canal is a feature and created important links to the cities for

90 A Landscape Strategy for Lancashire Landscape Character Assessment the export of produce and the import of Important local industries from the early manure and ash for fertilisers. The flat modern period include the widespread clay topography and strong prevailing winds have extraction for brick making and also the historically provided good conditions for wind exploitation of salt from the brine wells to the power.Wind pumping mills aided the drainage west of Pilling. These have resulted in of the landscape and windmills were used for significant flooded quarries and subsidence grinding grain. These features still exist and pools respectively. can be found near Martin Mere and Pilling. CHARACTER AREAS - COASTAL PLAIN The Coastal Plain landscape type occurs in six distinct areas, all within the lowland landscapes of western Lancashire. Local Character Areas Description 15a Ormskirk-Lathom- The undulating lowland farmland around Ormskirk is characterised by Rufford large fields and red brick built farms which reflect the arable agriculture typical of the area. Old red brick barns with diamond shaped detailing on the end walls are particularly characteristic of the area; many can be seen scattered amongst the residential streets of newer settlements. There are a number of designed landscapes associated with large houses, such as Rufford Old and New Halls, Scarisbrick Hall, Lathom Hall, Blythe Hall and Moor Hall, which provides some enclosure to an otherwise open landscape. This area is relatively elevated and there are some long views over the adjacent flat mosslands. The area has good conditions for wind power and wind powered corn mills, now disused or converted to private residences, are a feature of this landscape character area. 15b Longton-Bretherton The Longton landscape character area lies close to the south-western urban fringes of Preston. The proximity to a large urban centre has influenced landscape character. The network of minor lanes is dominated by dense ribbon development and the A 59(T), now a dual carriageway, links the former villages of Hutton, Longton,Walmer Bridge and Much Hoole. Red brick is the dominant built material in these areas. The agricultural landscape is influenced by urban fringe elements such as schools, colleges, nurseries, glass houses, hotels, horse paddocks, communication masts and electricity pylons; the network of hedgerows and hedgerow oaks is gradually being eroded by these uses.The village of Bretherton has remained separate and therefore displays a more traditional character; a former windmill lies on its western edge. 15c Croston- The sandstone which underlies this character area exerts a strong Mawdesley influence over the landscape; it is a gently undulating agricultural landscape with steep sided shallow valleys and hedged fields which support rich pasture or arable crops. The landscape is relatively well wooded, with small farm woods and wooded valleys, for example at Yarrow Valley Park. Field hedges are notable for their hedgerow oaks and high proportion of holly. Country halls, moated farms and designed landscapes provide historic and cultural links. Red brick is used throughout the area; the subdued tones of the older brick houses and farmsteads are well integrated within the landscape. Villages are traditionally clustered, but show signs of rapid expansion with ribbon development. New housing on the outskirts of settlements, which is often built of imported bricks, creates a harsh edge to villages when viewed from the surrounding countryside.Where screen planting is attempted it often incorporates alien plant species, which further urbanises the 91 A Landscape Strategy for Lancashire Landscape Character Assessment

Local Character Areas Description attractive rural setting. In addition to its historic rural agricultural land use, the landscape has more recently been influenced by urban fringe activities such as nurseries, schools, camp sites, hotels, equestrian centres, golf courses, traffic and built development, which indicate its proximity to the western edge of . Urbanising influences such as kerbs and lighting are increasingly evident on major roads. 15d The Fylde The gently undulating farmland of the Fylde occurs between to the west and Preston and the M6 corridor to the east. It has been formed of boulder clay deposits which lie on soft Triassic sandstones and mudstones and is naturally poorly drained. Field ponds are a particularly characteristic feature of this area and provide important wildlife habitats. The predominant land use is dairy farming on improved pasture and lowland sheep farming with a small amount of arable on the freer draining soils. Red brick nineteenth century two storey farmsteads with slate roofs and red brick barns are dominant built features of this landscape character area; occasional windmills also reflect the historic importance of the area for corn milling. Other features of the area are the brine fields around which have been reclaimed by ICI and form a rare and distinctive land use. Field size is large and field boundaries are low clipped hawthorn, although hedgerow loss is extensive. Blocks of woodland are characteristic, frequently planted for shelter and/or shooting and views of the Bowland fells are frequent between the blocks. There are many man-made elements; electricity pylons, communication masts and road traffic are all highly visible in the flat landscape. In addition, views of Blackpool Tower, the Pleasure Beach rides and industry outside Blackpool are visible on a clear day. 15e Forton-Garstang- This area of lowland farmland forms a transition between the fringes of Catterall the Bowland Fells and the lowland raised bog of Winnmarleigh. A geological fault runs along the eastern boundary of the area and, although the motorway and railway broadly follow this line, the transition between the Millstone Grits to the east and the sandstones to the west is masked by glacial deposits and river alluvial fans which produce a gently undulating landscape. The area is a rural farmed landscape dominated by improved pasture and scattered with historic halls, farms and woodland. A network of lanes link the villages of , Forton, Garstang and Catterall, although the A6 provides a fast route along the length of the character area. Garstang and Catterall have seen a particularly large amount of urban development and this area is affected by urban fringe activities such as golf courses, hotels and schools which have eroded the rural character of the landscape. The area forms a sudden edge with the mosslands at ; stone built houses on this higher land overlook the moss. 15f Knott End- The coastal plain around Pilling is an intensely farmed, settled landscape Pilling with a post medieval enclosure pattern. There are many hedgerows, some ancient in origin, and trees shelter scattered farmsteads. The farmsteads and villages are linked by a network of raised lanes and stone bridges connect farms to roads. A large amount of infill development at , Pilling and Knott End-on-Sea contributes an array of more modern building styles and materials. Pumped drainage continues to allow the land to support some arable crops.

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Landscape Character 18b Salt marshes and intertidal flats occur around the sheltered waters of the west coast of 18 18d Lancashire and extend to the low water mark. The Open Coastal Marshes are flat, expansive 18e coastal areas formed on marine alluvium. They 18c are separated from the Enclosed Coastal Marshes and coastal farmland by man-made sea dykes and in places by boulder clay and 18a limestone cliffs. The simplicity of the landscape pattern is visually appealing: usually the fine sward surface is closely grazed and is etched by a maze of creeks and channels which gives texture to the flat, expansive landscape. The marshes are open, except for occasional patches of scrub just beyond the high water mark, whilst the few marshes which are OPEN COASTAL ungrazed are a riot of colour in high summer. There is a striking absence of settlement or MARSH man-made features. This sense of remoteness is a dramatic contrast to the surrounding man- made landscapes. Another notable feature is Character Areas the prolific bird life which brings movement to 18a Ribble Marshes the landscape and provides a changing scene. Typical view - photo 34 below. 18b Hest Bank-Silverdale Marshes 18c Wyre Marshes 18d Lune Marshes 18e Pilling and Cockerham Marshes

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Physical Influences Human Influences Areas of saltmarsh and , which include The rich resources of the coastal marshes areas of sandy shingle occur in the sheltered have been exploited since the earliest times by waters around estuaries and rise almost migratory peoples or societies settling on the imperceptibly from the high tide level where drier and more stable areas inland. Hunting they are often marked by low erosion cliffs of wild game, collecting shrimps, cockles and boulder clay and at Silverdale, of limestone. mussels, or grazing animals on the drier Most of the marshes are enclosed by man landward edges all would have given great made sea dykes. rewards. The saltmarshes are constantly changing.There Grazing rights on the marshes ensure that the is accretion by sediments at high tides and saltmarshes have long been an important river channels continuously cut new courses. component of the local economy. The salt - The seaward edge is characterised by a system marshes to the south of Silverdale are of dendritic creeks and erosion cliff tops and managed by common grazing of sheep and there are a series of terraces within the cattle and in some areas turf cutting has taken marshes. Creek migrations and sections of place to supply ornamental and bowling green creek can be cut off leaving isolated sections industries. Tracks across the marsh lead to of water known as pans or ‘floshes’. landing jetties, fisheries and historic salt working sites. Ecologically the salt marshes and mud flats are internationally important for their vegetation, as roosting and feeding grounds for tens of CHARACTER AREAS - OPEN thousands of wildfowl and wading birds, COASTAL MARSH including geese swans and ducks. Many The Open Coastal Marsh landscape type species come from as far afield as Canada and occurs in five distinct areas around the Greenland. The seaward edges are sheltered waters of the west coast of characterised by pioneer species such as Lancashire. glasswort and seablite, whilst middle reaches are dominated by common salt marsh grass with herbs such as scurvy grass, sea thrift and sea lavender-depending whether they are grazed or not. Transitions to fresh water marsh and dry land have been truncated by reclamation, but are marked by other species only slightly tolerant of salt water and occasionally by brackish pools. A small area of sand is found at Potts Corner south of and is important as it supports vegetation not found elsewhere on this section of coast (Knott End- Silverdale). Some of the Wyre marshes such as Barnaby’s Sands Marsh and Burrows Marsh remain ungrazed and are particularly important for their floral diversity. The open coastal marshes of the Ribble estuary are part of a major protected landscape and constitute one of the largest areas of salt marsh in Great Britain.

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Local Character Areas Description 18a Ribble Marshes An extensive and expanding area of unenclosed coastal marsh occurs in the sheltered estuary of the , most of which is protected and managed as a National Nature Reserve. This area is characterised by a fine green sward stretching out to sea. Its amorphous, natural form provides a dramatic contrast to the regular enclosures of the adjacent Hesketh Marsh and the urban form of the . Urban buildings are never far away and provide a backdrop to views. A large number of visiting birds are encouraged by the standing water. Large numbers of waders and wildfowl are attracted to the marshes, adjacent mudflats and estuary. 18b Hest Bank-Silverdale These marshes are on a raised platform backed by cliffs of sand and clay from Hest Bank to and by the steep limestone cliffs of the wooded limestone hills further north. The front edge of the platform is eroding significantly at the point where it meets the sea.The marshes are open areas of sea-washed turf, grazed by cattle and sheep, and patterned by narrow rills, winding muddy creeks and brackish pools.Traditional turf cutting activities take place resulting in a patchwork of stripped and naturally regenerating areas on the southern half of the marsh.There are a number of access points to the marsh and it is visited by many people who walk, park and picnic upon the marsh. There is a recent landfill site on the edge of the marsh at Cote Stones, as well as remnant slag heaps from the historic iron workings at Carnforth. 18c Wyre Marshes The Wyre Estuary provides a sheltered environment for the development of salt marsh.The proximity of the urban areas of and to the west affects the character of this area both visually and physically, whilst the east bank of the Wyre remains rural in aspect. Distinctive low boulder clay cliffs back the marshes in places and form linear features along the estuary. The area is relatively inaccessible to recreational users, and the salt marsh has been reduced to the west by encroaching industrial development and landfilling at Fleetwood Unlike other coastal marshes in Lancashire however the lack of grazing gives a colourful sward of sea lavender, sea aster and other herbs in summer. 18d Lune Marshes The sheltered mouth of the Lune Estuary supports an extensive saltmarsh which stretches almost into the centre of Lancaster and provides a dramatic contrast to the built environment of the city and its industrial edges.This area includes the important remnant sand dunes at Potts Corner.There are a number of footpaths, nature trails, cycle routes and viewpoints alongside the marsh which ensures that the area is well visited and highly visible. This, and the area’s proximity to the centre of Lancaster means the Lune Marshes are under pressure from visitors and from development. This is evident from the reclamation of the marshes immediately downstream of Lancaster. 18e Pilling and The intertidal salt marsh and sands of , Pilling and Cockerham Cockerham form the southern bank of the Lune Estuary. The open flats are Marshes separated from the mainland by recently reinforced sea dykes which define the southern edge of the character area. The more exposed western end, by Knott End on Sea, is characterised by sand flats while the more sheltered eastern end of the character area is more typical of a salt marsh landscape.The sands and salt marshes are of international importance as a refuge for many pink-footed geese in late winter.

101 A Landscape Strategy for Lancashire Landscape Character Assessment mixture of commercial enterprise, paternalism, 4.3 civic pride and philanthropy. The naturalistic Suburban (1930 onwards) elements of their designs provided clean green spaces for the deprived urban populations. 4.3.1 Geometric elements offered an opportunity for leisurely promenading and for civic display Urban Landscape Character and refinement. This urban landscape type includes a wide Planned industrial housing usually took place variety of architectural styles and layouts. The on land on the fringes of existing built up majority of urban areas are characterised by a areas and in areas where earlier poor quality spacious pattern of street, low buildings, housing had been demolished. Public parks garages and gardens, although there are also and municipal stone buildings were located examples of high-rise tower block estates, with towards the centre of the towns and would communal amenity grassland and extensive have required the demolition of earlier parking. buildings. On the edges of the towns, away Early suburban housing (1930-40) is typically from the factories and workers’ areas, the semi-detached, built of brick and arranged in middle classes built themselves large family crescents and wide streets with large front and houses, arranged on airy, tree lined streets in rear gardens. This type of older suburban suburbs. Suburban villas, quite often had large housing often forms ribbon development gardens, where the growing fashion for along principal urban routes, with access to collecting exotic plants could be indulged. In more recent housing estates behind. 1950s to the rapidly expanding tourist towns, a 60s estates tend to have predominantly combination of terraces and higher quality straight streets with some cul-de-sacs and with housing was designed to accommodate gardens and garages. Since the 1970s, housing workers, holiday makers, commuters and development has been concentrated in those retiring to the coast. Such development relatively dense estates with cul-de-sac layouts, usually took place on farmland as these curved streets, small gardens and garages and settlements grew outwards from their historic are often a mixture of many different styles, centres. frequently pastiches of old styles.

Photo 41. Suburbs, south Lancaster. 115 A Landscape Strategy for Lancashire Landscape Character Assessment

The use of many different materials, usually into a city of half a million people. Although not of local origin and standardised substantial industrial and housing areas were architectural detailing of particular styles has created, the result has been a series of resulted in a loss of regional identity; the same expanded villages and new estates very house designs recur across the whole country. closely linked by suburban ribbon development. 4.3.2 Many urban centres were transformed during Evolution this period by the combined effects of post Lancashire’s urban centres have experienced war planning and commercial ambition. It is a profound changes from the inter war period common misconception that the clearance of onwards. At the time of the First World War, urban centre buildings was the result of war many older industrial centres had reached time bombing. The undistinguished designs, their peak populations, although the combined which were often built of concrete during the impacts of suburbanisation and economic 1960s and 70s, are conspicuous in many decline resulted in depopulation. This process Lancashire towns. Such redevelopment was was accelerated by deliberate decentralisation, undertaken with little regard for the fine a fundamental planning strategy between 1945 examples of 18th and 19th century and 1975. architecture it was replacing, however some In urban areas local authorities had inherited, pioneering modern developments did take by modern standards, a legacy of sub-standard place, such as Preston Bus Station. 19th century housing and Lancashire’s local The 1980’s saw an increasing appreciation of authorities were keen to clear the slums and urban heritage and a new theme of urban to develop estates on the urban fringes. planning has seen the use of traditional urban Suburbanisation during the 1930s and 40s forms, sympathetic materials and reuse of old created large areas of private and council buildings. A notable example of this is the housing in estates on the fringes of the towns. successful conversion of St. Marks church in After 1945 national house building Preston to flats. programmes and the introduction of The recent boom in house building is resulting industrialised building methods were the in further expansion of the urban areas with catalyst for widespread inner-city the provision of new housing estates on the redevelopment and the relocation of whole fringes of the towns and the development of communities to the edges of towns. The new brownfield sites in the inner urban areas. estates, which included a substantial element A significant element of the urban and of high rise building, were sited on the edges suburban scene are fragments of ‘encapsulated’ of towns or in redeveloped urban centres. By countryside and other areas of informal open the end of the 1960’s this type of housing was land, including land formerly developed but already proving unpopular and incidents of now re-vegetated either naturally or by design. slum clearance declined, to be replaced by These provide important wildlife habitats rehabilitation and housing improvements. (unaffected by intensive agriculture) and The creation of overspill communities and recreational space for local residents. Their new towns involved social engineering and value may be enhanced when such areas form planning on an enormous scale. The most green corridors allowing movement of wildlife celebrated example is that of Skelmersdale between urban areas and the surrounding which was intended to take 70,000 people countryside. from Liverpool and regenerate a small mining town with severe unemployment problems. Although the town has proved a success the social and economic difficulties it has faced has limited the population to just over fifty five thousand. Another designation, the Central Lancashire New Town (1974), originally planned to link Preston, Leyland and Chorley

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